The Obelisk Gate Review

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[@KPCSlor]

Always love the full spoiler reviews. I get that the produce less views than non-spoiler, but when I finish a good book I want to hear how others felt about it.

[@Impromptwo]

Definitely agree with you on this - book 2 really suffers from a lack of purpose. That said, one part of Essun's perspective I enjoyed was seeing her evolve from a hard, cynical loner to someone who starts to understand community, and starts believing that there may be a way to defeat prejudice. I don't think it was explored perfectly, but the bones were there and I could appreciate that arc for what it was.

[@bansheethereader9074]

For me all three books were of consistent high quality. The biggest con to the whole trilogy for me is that I'm worried that I'll never find books equally good ever again :) And Alabaster was not turning into Stone Eater, it's so much more complex and heart-breaking than that!

[@nicholaus3248]

I agree. I was not expecting to enjoy this series so much, and I surprised myself by liking the second person perspective as much (or more?!) than first or third person.

[@lexer_]

I can't even put in words how genius I personally thought the whole Moon thing was. It works so incredibly well. I think I never have seen a setup that worked so well as the post-apocalyptic mystery cause for a story. If I expected a good idea like that it might not have been so awesome but I went into this one blind and this twist explains so many seemingly random and weird things I expected to just have some incredible magic explanation. I got one of the most disturbing nightmares of my life from it tho. (My mind just invented this, it's not some kind of spoiler to the books.) I watched the sun slowly shrinking in the sky and knew that earth somehow lost its orbit and would just fly into interstellar space. I felt it getting colder like how it gets cold during a solar eclipse and thought about the consequence. How earth would be left in endless darkness and cold. I thought about preparing but... there would be no escape from this anyway.

[@lcpharm]

I loved the whole Father Earth is wiping out humanity in his anger over them killing? his only child

[@amaresuify]

I didn't feel like the Alabaster reveal was meant to be a surprise. If there was a big surprise (and I'm not sure there really was one or that there needed to be one) it would have been just what was causing him to turn to stone. Also the whole Obelisk Gate; what it is and what it can do and what she did with it. The reason behind the second person isn't done. There's still a story to tell. I actually liked the world building in this one over the 1st one. It was very small picture. I liked that it went into some thought on what would need to be done to save a species verses every person. Because they've had thousands of years to learn the lesson that they can't save everyone. But I totally understand why that wouldn't be everyone's thing.

[@reeegs90]

I agree, I read the 'Alabaster/Stone Eater' reveal not as a surprise but just an emotional moment of Essun seeing him again after he died

[@danielleholmes458]

Wow this might be the first time I fully disagree with you haha. I loved Essun's chapters because of the relationship with Alabaster. I felt so deeply for those two that I wanted more than we even got. With Nassun it was hard to read, hard to watch her love Schaffa, hard to wrap my head around trying not to think of him as the person who hurt Essun. To see her hate her mother and try and hold onto that love for her father. I can't blame her for how it happened, but was hard to read.

[@lcpharm]

I loved the second person …one of many things that made me want to explore what was going on

[@palatonian9618]

That is so interesting to me that you felt like the first book sufficiently explained why there was second person. It was still a huge question mark for me. By the end of the second book I had a suspicion and yes the end of the third book gives a very satisfying narrative reason for the second person. Besides the narrative reasons I did end up liking the stylistic reasons of making the read so much more intimate and empathetic, even though it was jarring for me

[@csd8204]

I always appreciate the specificity of your critiques.

[@lppunto]

Mm...Alabaster is not a Stone Eater. His transformation (and the reveal) is a little more complicated than that. Overall, I agree with you. Obelisk Gate feels like a holdover between books 1 and 3 (I'm not convinced SS really finds itself either, but it definitely puts in more of an effort than OG).

[@Lunabear459]

What do you think he is?

[@lppunto]

@@Lunabear459 Well, I didn't want to get into spoilers, but suffice it to say the statement "Alabaster is now a Stone Eater" (12:00) is both not correct (yet) and not quite the point of the reveal. Present tense is the operative attribute.

[@lppunto]

@@Lunabear459 You're right though, looking back that was poorly worded.

[@anna.t._7224]

I soooo agree with everything you just said that it actually blows my mind how much I can agree with someone about a book (which rarely happens). I found Nassun’s perspective interesting and a nice break from Essun’s perspective which almost sent me into a coma several times. But overall I found this book to be quite boring honestly which made me sad because I really liked the first one. Hopefully the third one will be better.

[@GB-jo9ky]

It is really interesting to hear other opinions about these books. I just finished book two and liked it more than one actually. Book one I realized very early on that the three perspectives were one person just because the timelines didn't match up with 2 not having the rift and knowing that they take on fulcrum names. I didn't think Alabaster was becoming a stone eater, I thought he would just rather be eaten then buried and given to Earth. So I was much more surprised with the second books twist than the firsts. The second person also just makes sense to me because I know Hoa is telling the story. That is the only way that he really can tell it. I do see how it can be boring with the main characters staying in the same place the whole time. I like info dumps though since I am forever curious with how things work so I liked it still. I also didn't like Nassun's story or her character that much either and enjoyed Essun's a lot. I felt like Essun just came together as a character and her power built up to this moment. Nassun worked her way up to making an obelisk sword after a year of self study and didn't really sit well with me.

[@ece-po7us]

It's in second person because it is not Essun's POV. It's Hoa's. There is a specific chapter where Essun tells Hoa to meet her somwhere and the book goes "I meet you there." That is where we realize that Hoa has been telling this stroy from the start. He had been silently watching her since she freed him from the garnet at Allia. Damaya and Syenite are 3rd person POV's because Hoa has not been freed from the oblesik yet in that time.

[@colburn0004]

I agree with you almost completely. My favorite mystery in the entire series is that second person perspective. I’d also say that’s probably the only mystery that I wholly liked the conclusion of. (Never mind you basically surmised it. I wasn’t as quick to catch on completely to it being the reasoning) I think my favorite aspect of this series is how much the mystery and how it was developed was a large part of what kept me really engaged. I think the mystery was still there in the second and third book but I feel like the character work wasn’t quite as there as it was in the first which made the mystery feel less strong. The daughter and her group and Essun with the community just isn’t anywhere as strong as it was in the first book.

[@nuanceblacksywin4868]

"The second person" perspective in the book is KIND OF a first person perspective. We see that in-between when the "first person" goes into his thoughts/feelings, and speaks from the "I"-perspective. The rest of the time he speaks TO SOMEONE ELSE, and not the reader. I've listened to this on audiobook, and it's flawlessly written. The "second person" perspective (that's not 2nd person) helps in separating the different parts when listening. So I didn't mind at all. And I was never bored with any of the characters. All the "info" was appreciated and I even struggled putting the book down (so to speak).

[@lgeass88]

The second book slump seems to be a thing with Jemisin. The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms series was the same way: great first book, ok second but an awesome third book.

[@Voxdalian]

This sounds like something for me, I should read the series.

[@fuyushitarisou1]

I LOVED book 2. I had to take a break after book 1 because it was hard for me to get through. I had such trouble with the world building and understanding what the book is about that I had to take that pause. When I returned to book 2 a year later I loved it so much. I was so happy to see Essun and Alabaster reunite, I was hoping against all hope that Essun somehow could save Alabaster and it broke my heart when she did not. I fell so hard for Hoa. I find it strange you basically did not mention him. For me that was the big revelation. Hoa telling the story, the reasons he is so focused on Essun. They three parties that fight against each other. What the heck are seasons? I enjoyed how Essun tried to find her place and live in Com as herself. Also Albaster died. He was a human and now he turned into a stone eater, but he is still dead. I don't think being a stone eater is a great thing. And he as a character is dead. It was so sad and horrible. Essun felt so bad and horrible. It must have hurt her a lot and the regret she now has to live with. For me this book was everything. I had such a deep connection to all the characters, which lasted through a year. The topic of oppression was again so well raised. There were questions on how people change as a community and can manage to become one as group for survival. All the big things and the small ones. It's a little bit sad you did not feel the same for it. I hope you will like stone sky more.

[@kristen7623]

Im SO afraid it’s going to be heartbreaking when Essun finally finds Nassun with Shaffa. I have a feeling that “You” are going to be horribly rejected

[@danielleholmes458]

I also didn't find many of the potential twists shocking, but idk if they needed to be. It seemed clear to me the three perspectives were one character. We knew Alabaster would become a stone eater. But I still felt his loss. And Essun's loss of him. Sure he may be alive, but is he still her Alabaster? It's another ending of worlds. His world. He's something new now.

[@domo1248]

I understood your point of view when you stated that figuring out all three of the story lines was a big reveal and was your main appeal in the first book. That wasn't shocking to me at all, I pieced it together and had the hunch by the time the story gets to the coastal calm. The big hook for me was the psychology of the characters, the powers and the origins and lore and the inner workings that made Alabaster seem so much more powerful, the events that made the Evil Earth what it was in the setting of the book, and the sociology of world as well. I think if a big draw for you is big reveals in this book, then you missed a lot about what I appreciated about the book and the authors intent and skill in forming this world. Explaining the world and the characters exploring the inner workings was why I loved both books, and what made book two even better to me, on top of the character dynamics and the sociological dynamic of the unique calm that Essun finds herself apart of. And Then, I just dont understand how you thing Hoa being a stone eater was supposed to be a reveal.

[@divaa82]

I would have given the book 4-4,5stars. I didn't find it boring at all. I do agree that Essun's search did drag out too long, but I also felt that it reflected the emptiness of her life and the world, the endless walk through the desert and Nassun always out if her reach. It felt desperate and fatigued and stubborn, all at the same time. Everything else I agreed with you here. It is definitely a bridge book, but I also felt, once I had finished book 3, that everything had finally tied together, although book 3 did get a bit too strange and confusing at times. I don't want to get into that though until you've finished it too. But I think you might like it less actually, considering what bothered you here.

[@sarafina1263]

I just finished and I completely agree. I'm going to start book 3 and I'm really hoping it is better

[@Moonadept]

Did you ever get to Book 3? I was excited to hear your thoughts, but I don't see it!

[@jamesbaird1342]

Clothes and cover coordination conscience concideration?

[@jamesbaird1342]

I believe that was someone else. I didn't read the book and the comment seems unlike me.

[@Liz-nl6ws]

I also had to take a break after book one but after I read book two I was just itching to finish the series. The whole trilogy was right up my alley though I agree it gets hard to read at certain points.

[@paulsmith8993]

I have to agree with you around the first person narration and Essun's story being dull.The first book.I relished and really thought about tge world and story.But this was a race through to the end.Atvone point I was thinking of looking up the plot on Wikipedia and picking up the third book.Still yhd end description of the obelisk is beautifully written.Please, without any spoilers can someone tell me if tge 3rd book is better than this?

[@bicho6313]

ooof that hurt. i actually loved book 2 more than 1. but i do love character-driven books more than plot books so it makes sense it didn't work for u. dw tho the plot comes back on book 3 tenfold for both Essun and Nassun (in my opinion book 3 is the best one, which i find rare for trilogies). for me the Alabaster transformation wasn't the big end reveal that floored me (tho he's not a stone eater btw. i don't remember whether that's clarified in this book or the next one). it's all the pieces of the puzzle coming together and then figuring out the obelisk gate. those final scenes were awesome. but i totally see why ppl didn't love the book. it is mainly about expanding the world and providing more info rather than carrying out a cohesive plot. i just love Jemisin's worldbuilding so much that this book gave me exactly what i wanted.

[@dawnschoonover662]

Why are you saying he's not a stone eater, I feel like I missed something.

[@bicho6313]

@@dawnschoonover662 its more complicated than that. Did u read all three books? I dont wanna spoil it for u

[@dawnschoonover662]

@@bicho6313 Yeah I read all of them. Alabaster isn't a Stone Eater until the very very end of book 2, but everyone is saying he isn't one. Doesn't Hoa explain all this in book 3?

[@bicho6313]

@@dawnschoonover662 alabaster actually dies. He doesnt turn into a stone eater. The stone eater made another stone eater in the likeness of alabaster but thats not him. In the stone sky hoa actually makes a stone eater exactly like essun so he does actually manage to "turn" her into one in a way because hes gotten to know her so well

[@dawnschoonover662]

Geisel Portales I don’t know if I agree with that, I think they are Alabaster and Essun. Hoa takes more time with Essun so she’ll be herself, but he says that Alabaster might need centuries to be himself. Plus Hoa has memories from before. But now I get what people are meaning, even though I don’t agree lol.

[@Victuuri]

Did you review the Stone Sky?

[@z_wulf]

I really wish you would do a review of book 3. I can't seem to find it. Especially with how your take on some things wasn't completely correct.

[@artemisjones2121]

are we ever getting a review for the 3rd book from you?

[@LeaXOXO17]

Unfair to say they are the same when Nassun was raised in a household where a father would murder her on the spot, whereas Essun was raised among her own kind in an environment where she could freely practice her orogeney. The need for quick strict teaching was different and it was done out of love, not because she thought she was evil.

[@epiphoney]

Where's the link to the spoiler free blog review?

[@joxclever]

Omgosh couldn't agree more. I was practically jubilant every time we got a Nassun chapter. The Castrima-under stuff was so boring, and expository (for me).

[@briek9482]

So... i must have missed when book 1 said Hoa was the narrator. I missed so much my first read through this series..

[@dawnschoonover662]

In book 1 there are multiple perspectives including Hoa and a second person narrator we assume is Hoa. But I wouldn't say he is THE narrator of the series.

[@jones3887]

Did Murphy read and review The Stone Sky? I can't find the review anywhere.

[@cirochiappero5192]

She has a review in Goodreads. Sort of. But no video. Just as me, she didn't like it

[@jones3887]

@@cirochiappero5192 Same, the trilogy was hard for me to read, mostly due to the use of second person and how after the first book the worldbuilding stutters and runs out of gas imo.

[@oana-mariauliu5828]

I'm currently reading the first book in the Inheritance trilogy (also by N.K. Jemisin) and it's rather confusing. I thought it was normal at first, as I was following the protagonist's PoV and there were lots of things she didn't know. I'm half way through at the moment and it's still confusing, which I don't appreciate. I need to understand more. Otherwise I may have to put it aside.

[@nuanceblacksywin4868]

Isn't that the dragon books? Or are both the inheritance trilogy?

[@oana-mariauliu5828]

@@nuanceblacksywin4868 Yes, there are at least two series that are called Inheritance.

[@oana-mariauliu5828]

@@nuanceblacksywin4868 Look them up on Goodreads.

[@WickedIsPopular]

I tried reading this series and just couldn't get into it sadly. I just finished reading the Book of the Ancestor trilogy by Mark Lawrence and Spin the Dawn.

[@mikelsmith6803]

I had the same feeling of disappointment with the ending of book one where the used the fact that the moon is not there as a big reveal and I've been waiting since the middle of the book to know why the moon desapeared. I am afraid the finale of book 3 to be this gran reveal that someone is telling this story tu Essun (or however is she called later).

[@rubensanchezramirez7028]

I feel like, in a lot of stories, when there comes a part where the main character stays in a place for a while, specially a city, the story becomes a bit boring.

[@SunriseFireberry]

Haven't read OG yet. 37.5K til liftoff. Mission Control copies that.

[@anthonysullivan1070]

I liked this series. Its great. But I think I'm going to have to dnf it. Its just depressing me too much. It seems to be hitting me really hard every since my brother had a daughter. Me and my niece have gotten really close. I babysit her. We watch tv together and play together. Go for walks to the park.So reading about Nassun just really hits me too emotionally. I can't help it!

[@cynthiaholmes5124]

I didn't like the obelisk gate as much as I loved the fifth season but I will read the final book in june I unfortunately agree with you on this book cons 🤔🤯☺️🙂😃😉

[@dawnschoonover662]

I loved Hoa and the rekindling of Essun and Alabaster's relationship in book two. Its these two people who know each other better than they know themselves, which is something they've had to live without for so long, it was super sweet. I full on hate Nassun though. I hated reading every single on of her chapters, and was so mad that she's a POV in book 3 too. I think she's just a whiny brat who likes to pretend she's mature but then holds on to childish tendencies. Someone please say they also hated her.

[@333pinkelephant333]

Still haven't started book 3 but your description of her sounds like a spot on typical 11 year old (which I think she was in book 2) lol

[@dawnschoonover662]

333pinkelephant333 it’s like she’s able to have moments of clarity about her dad and the world they live in, but any time she might have one about her mom she just goes “no, I hate her she ruined my life”

[@eduardoo31]

hey dawn, are you still there? hahahaha i finished book 3 today and even though i loved the ending and i appreciated nassun's choices at the end, i agree with you that for most of books 2 and 3 she was pretty terrible and i kind of hated her. and that's a tough thing to say because she is just a kid who never asked for what the world handed her but........ i still disliked her. oh well haha. the best thing about these book, besides the unreal world building, was the three characters you mentioned: essun, hoa, and alabaster. especially 'baster. i already want to reread the fifth season just so i can experience his relationship with syenite and innon all over again

[@dawnschoonover662]

@@eduardoo31 Yes!! Alabaster was my favorite character, and I loved how in book 2 they were basically an old married couple. So much bickering, but its full of love. Part of me wants to reread it but I don't think I can handle rereading Nassun. Part of me wishes she was more immature because I could be like "oh she doesn't understand, and that is part of her character flaw, and maybe part of this narrative style is her learning the truth" but no she is able to see situations with clarity and empathize with the "bad" characters but will not entertain even the idea that her mom is a nuanced person with a complex history and deserves empathy.

[@eduardoo31]

@@dawnschoonover662 i get that. she could be really frustrating. like she would consider her mother's situation but then go like mmmm NO, because she needed a villain, and it couldn't be schaffa or "daddy" jija, so she settled for essun. i wish she had been more clearly manipulated to do what she was intent on doing instead of it being her way to "free" the world of the inequality or whatever, i mean, she was basically a villain at the end. and yeaaah, i loved how essun was finally able to admit to herself how much she cared about alabaster in book 2.

[@rivendellstarlight]

man, I actually quite dislike Nassun, I don't really want to follow her at all. She's like, younger, suckier Syenite. Her side of the plot is quite interesting, but she as a character I don't care for. I would rather follow Schaffa.

[@elrilmoonweaver4723]

Yeah, unfortunately, for me it was the feeling of Middle Book Syndrome. Then again it was the last book I read before taking a 3 month hiatus from reading.

[@lupamartins8830]

You have to read continue readong game of thrones if you dont want to but I will say that the second book has less described rape than the first

[@peteyore6276]

I want to like this book, but it's boring for the most part. Half way thru and might have to DNF..

[@necabibi3558]

I didnt like the 1st book really. I had decided not to read the 2nd book but changed my mind. I loved the 2nd and 3rd book.

[@johane.turbib.8108]

Love u so much 10/10

[@sgtslick7]

Got to be the most overrated shit ever. Trash books.

[@muhammadalihaider236]

Please explain with arabic

[@crystalrainbow19]

First 🙂

[@Hadrian1616]

Shaffa: *demolishes Damaya's hand* Damaya: "I just love him soooo much." Absolute trust. Me: smh....girls.....smh